ESCC Finalist - The Covenant

Author

File Description

Gregory Koteles

Posted on 06/29/00 @ 12:00 AM

File Details

Version:

Age of Kings

Description:

This is a scenario based on Charlemagne's invasion of the Lombard Kingdom of Italy in 773 AD. You must assume the mantle of Charlemagne and defeat the Lombard king Desiderius in order to preserve the papacy in Rome, while managing diplomacy with the Byzantine Empire to the east who are anxious to recover Italy for themselves. If you win, you'll have taken one of the most important steps in the creation of the Holy Roman Empire by cementing the alliance between the Franks and the Church. If you lose, Europe will be plunged back into a Dark Age from which it will never recover.

Sound Acknowledgements:

This scenario contains the opening "O Fortuna" from "Camina burana" by Carl Orff, recorded in 1956. It also contains excerpts from Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Verdi's "Aida" and the theme from the television series "Twilight Zone," as well as re-recorded music/sound files from the AoE II CD and various sound F/X files taken from the internet.

Notes:

I have attempted to maintain the standards of historical accuracy established by the creators of AoK. The game map has been created from scratch and corresponds roughly to parts of Northern and Central Italy during the 8th century, from Rome in the south to the Alps in the north, and Turin in the west to Venice in the east. Some events are apocryphal, though most could have happened if the war between the Franks and Lombards had dragged on for any length of time. A few events are pure fiction, designed to liven the game atmosphere and/or provide essential game elements.

Hey greg.... i like all the effects and some other stuff but er...... HOW THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WIN!?!?! :p Seriously, are'nt we supposed to be able to build a market so we dont get killed? And i'm not really sure what to do, or whats happening, like its as if my actions have suddenly made something screwy. No offense but I like your RPG games better, REALLY! Maybe you should concentrate on that!

Tanneur99Official Reviewer

Posted on 05/06/02 @ 12:00 AM

Rating

5.0

Breakdown

Playability

5.0

Balance

5.0

Creativity

5.0

Map Design

5.0

Story/Instructions

5.0

PLAYABILITY: How do you describe a perfect experience? Where are the words telling you about the pleasure I had playing this scenario? The excitement? The surprises? There was nothing to mark the playability down for. I tried more than once to find the words, you have to see for yourself. I will mention one thing, which contributed to Playability, without forgetting the other elements. Other than in many RPS, where you also have multiple choices, but which follow an intended path, here the player is creating his own plot twist. You can be ally with two realms in the beginning or with one or none and having chosen to be ally with two or one, you can break these alliances at different occasions during the game and the outcome will be different any time. This combined with your choice at the ruins, which monastery you approach and when to buy weapons, will give you never ending pleasure. 5+

BALANCE: The balance has to be called perfect. I really felt tense when I got the ultimatum to make friends or enemy with the Byzantine Empire. There is almost no time to explore the map, which you have to and you're kept alert every minute. The timing is awesome. You get enough reloads, so save often, as this is, what I would call, a scenario for the experienced player. This review is written playing medium on original AoK and I will certainly replay on a higher level. 5+

CREATIVITY: The well timed start, the realistic map of northern Italy, the multiple choices with plot twists, the ruins. You have a place to buy weapons and you can find monasteries with a monk and by finding one, the other disappears shortly after. 5

MAP DESIGN: A lot of elevations and mountains in the Alps of Italy. The map is realistic and it feels almost real, when you're marching with your army. Often you see maps with well designed towns and problems with the landscape or a good landscape with unattractive cities. Gregory Koteles is a great designer in every aspect. 5

STORY/INSTRUCTIONS: A BMP, another outstanding history section, which is exemplary, please read. Your main objective is clear, good helpful hints and your objectives develop with the game, as do the in game hints. 5+

Overall: I promise you, that this scenario is even better than the Robin Hood scenario from the same author.

When you die one day and you did not play ESCC Finalist - The Covenant, you will regret it for an eternity.

Tanneur99Official Reviewer

Posted on 05/12/02 @ 12:00 AM

In my review I forgot to mention the great adaption of music in this scenario. Read above, it is all there. The music is not looping and is used as a dramatic tool.

Reborn Dragon did you ever build a market in the dark age?

ElfTheHunter

Posted on 09/17/02 @ 12:00 AM

This scenario has been nominated for an Orion Award for Best Music Featured in a Scenario. Congratulations!

ElfTheHunter

Posted on 09/17/02 @ 12:00 AM

This scenario has been nominated for an Orion Award for Best Single-Player. Congratulations!

***2nd Orion Awards***

Night Paladin

Posted on 06/12/03 @ 12:00 AM

As Bill And Tedd would say"EXCILLENT, i agree Bill, truely excilent".

Tribesman

Posted on 08/26/05 @ 12:25 PM

I can't get the Byzantines to hand over that battering ram I paid for twice!

Operation X

Posted on 01/14/12 @ 12:30 PM

I'm at the Feudal Age and I still can't build the market! and for my surprise I can't build farms! How am I supposed to contribute gold to gain allies? Or is it just my messed up game? How can I fix it?

[EDIT]Never mind, I figured out that I had to build a mill first >.< such a noob lol